Unable to breastfeed because of csection

[PeppersTheCat]

I'm 36 weeks and have just found out my baby is breach. I've heard a lot of mums say they couldn't breastfeed because they were recovering from a section (couldn't bend over to pick up baby, etc).

I'm so very upset because I breastfed my previous 2 kids for 2 years each (both vaginal births).

I won't have a lot of support after the birth as I've just split with my partner.

My DSis and I have had 4 c sections between us and 4 babies EBF until at least 6 months, some considerably longer. Milk has come in between day 3 and 5. You'll need to be careful how you lift the baby, you might find that you need to stand up first, or that you can't reach across whilst sitting down, but nothing that's impossible if you want to BF. I found the immediate recovery from my section to be very similar to the last couple of weeks of pregnancy. There are things that are hard work, like sitting up / rolling over in bed, picking up stuff that you've dropped on the floor. But none of it is impossible if it needs doing, you just choose not to do it unless you have to.

I managed to BF after a c section with my first. The main reason it was tricky was because my position was incorrect. The drugs can make it more difficult initially I've heard but you've breast fed before so will know what you're doing.

OP you will be fine! I had an EMCS with DS2 and am still breastfeeding him at 9 months old now. Having BF'ed my DS1 for nearly 2 years certainly helped as I didn't have problems worrying about latch etc. so you will be in a good position to succeed I imagine.

Day One, the midwives/nurses changed baby's nappies for me and passed him to me whenever he needed a feed or needed putting back into his crib.
End of day one my catheter was removed and I got up (carefully), day two I was up and about changing baby's nappy and picking him up by myself for feeds. You do have to take care how you move but it's perfectly doable.

The best thing when coming home was having a bedside crib that attached to our bed - if you can at all afford one (or someone can gift it you) I would absolutely recommend getting one! It will make a big difference during the first 4-6 weeks as you can simply slide baby across to you for feeding, no need to get up / bend over etc.
We had a Knuma Huddle but there's also the Snuzpod or Chicco Next2Me of course.

Good luck, you can do this!

You will be fine!
I have had 3 C sections and was breastfeeding whilst being stiched up no problems at all. Still feeding my almost 3 year old (just can't get her to stop). Honestly it will be fine!

I did find it hard to establish breast feeding in hospital after an EMCS (and DS diagnosed with a serious medical condition after birth) - however, once we were at home and much more relaxed I did get the hang of breast feeding (although made a conscious choice to give one bottle a day as well) and breast fed for 9 months.

No one had mentioned to me that it might be hard after a CS so I think the fact that you are actively thinking about it shows that you are very prepared. Good luck.

I'm currently bf my 6 week old csection baby. I requested immediate skin to skin, so they got him out, weighed him etc then put him on me while I was stitched. They put sensors on my shoulders so they weren't in the way. We then initiated bf in recovery. I took a breastfeeding pillow (simple c shaped one) which protected my incision. Although painful after, picking my son up etc wasn't a problem at all x

5moreminutes, still took ages for my milk to come in :-( maybe it was just my body. But both times I had 3-4 nights post section in hospital, and my milk didn't appear until I had been home for 24-48 hours. Second baby though, I knew it would come, and didn't regret the formula he had at three days to keep him going. First baby I was made to feel like a complete failure!

I breast fed after my C/S.

Admittedly it was more difficult at times because I couldn't just pick him up whenever he needed a feed but I would just press the call bell and a member of staff would be with me in minutes to help. Please, please don't worry yourself over this, it will be absolutely fine.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

I'm currently pregnant too and am having a C/S in two weeks time

My dd was also breach. I breastfed after c-section; I don't think there was a delay for my milk coming in.

About not having someone to pass the baby. When you're in hospital you can ring the buzzer and someon will pass the baby. You really need a bed-side crib if there's no-one to help. I recovered quickly but yes I did have my dh to hand the baby over - I think that was necessary for about a week. You'd have just as much trouble if you were bottle feeding though (just different trouble). A pp recommended always laying the baby on a blanket and then lifting the blanket. You'll get through it.

Bubble you're right about being psychologically prepared -I read another thread where a mum already thought she might not be able to breast feed and was giving formula because she thought her milk wasn't coming in, but she'd only had the baby two days before! She didn't seem to realise that hardly anyone's milk has come in on day two with a first baby and there isn't normally any need to supplement that early (unless of course you've been told to in hospital for a special reason).

With my DC1 my waters broke at 41 weeks, but contractions remained irregular and I was induced with a drip and I laboured but I ended up with an emergency section, and milk didn't come in til day 5. DC2 was a planned section at 38 weeks and milk came in earlier, day 3 I think, and DC3 was also a planned 38 week section and milk came in on the evening of day 2, which is very early regardless of type of birth.

I have no proof of the reason for the difference of course, but as I laboured with DC1, yet my milk came in later that time than with DC2 and 3 with whom I did not go into labour at all, its always seemed fairly reasonable to assume it comes in later with first babies, and info on sites like Kelly Mom seems to support that.

I have had 3 c sections. 2 EMCS and the last a planned high risk c section due to problems with the placenta with an emergency hysterectomy and massive blood loss requiring a transfusion. I breastfed them all for 2 years, 18 months and 3 years respectively. Dc3 was prem, but because I had breastfed before, despite the traumatic birth my milk came in on day 3/4 and he got the hang of it fine. Before your milk comes in there is colostrum which although less plentiful is full of nutrients.

With the first I was up the following afternoon. With the second I was up the next morning. I could lift them to and from the cot by myself once mobile, even though getting on and off the bed takes a little effort and care. Before that the midwives or family passed them to me.

Try not to worry there is a lot of support for breastfeeding these days from midwives/HV, clinics and people who can visit you at home to help get breastfeeding established.

While you are still in hospital, ask for a physio to come and show you how to move, get out of bed, lift your baby etc whilst recovering fro your C-S. You're likely to be a lot more mobile than you anticipate.

Have you tried to turn the baby?

Try the Spinning Babies site for some exercises that you can do at home. I've also heard positive things about moxi sticks (sp?) / moxibustion from my local hospital trust, who actually refer people for them on prescription, so I assume it has some basis in fact. Acupuncture is a possibility that I've heard about anecdotally. And finally, the CSV manoevre that a consultant can try to perform.

Finally, if none of the above work, don't despair -- research shows that doing skin to skin with the baby as soon as possible, and spending as much time together doing that in the first 24 hours, can have a big impact on breastfeeding success after a c-section. And maybe also try to find the details of local breastfeeding support (lactation consultants, trained breastfeeding supporters) in your local area who may have experience of successfully supporting women to BF post-section?

I bf for 2 years after Emcs under General. They had to bottle feed for the first day(s) because I was in recovery but once I was moved to the ward , the nurse/midwife would bring the baby for feeds. Once the epidural/spinal wears off and the catater is out you are more mobile and can get out of bed. You just need to walk/move at a slower pace because your abdomen is all stitched and you'll want to avoid getting an infection. Speak to your HV and enquire if there is any support available. Have you anyone nearby who could cook your meals/help with light housework for the first while. You are meant to avoid driving for 6 weeks post section and avoid lifting anything heavier than your new baby for 3 months post section. You can't see it but most of the healing has to be done internally so it takes time.

Had an EMCS, PPH, ICU admission and sepsis. All the things that are often associated with difficulties feeding.

I found breastfeeding very easy (far easier than most people I know, who had nicer deliveries!). Never had a cracked nipple, baby knew what to do right away. For the first 36 hours or so I needed someone to pass me the baby, but it was fine. I think it's quite baby dependent!